Say hello to Taylor Martin, people!
(Pic above)

******************************************

"I can't believe this," Logan chuckled looking at the photo I taped in my locker. It was from a summer four years ago. We were in Hawaii for a week on a joint summer vacation. That was our last 'family vacation'.  It was a photo of me, Logan, and Carter on the beach - a candid shot by yours truly, Jacob King.

In the picture, I was being ambushed by the boys. Logan held my legs and Carter grabbed my arms. They were trying to get me into the water, but my thirteen old self wouldn't go anywhere near it without a fight. I was truly petrified that day.

Now? It was just a beautiful memory.

"What?" I chuckled with him.

"You cussed more than any of us thought you were capable of that day," he scoffed.

"Shouldn't have underestimated me, boys. I'm in your company like ninety percent of the time. What did you expect, with the colorful language you all have?" I defended myself, grinning at the memory of the look on their faces when I spat insults at them for ten minutes straight. And I repeated none of them. In hindsight, quite a feat.

"You gave me fucking bruise that day." He laughed. I rolled my eyes.

"Served you right for throwing me into the ocean," I retorted playfully, poking his chest.

"What do you ha-"

"Hi," a squeal broke me off. We turned to face an over-energetic Tarter. That was her name . . . right? And did I mention that nearly half the cheerleader squad was with her? And that she didn't spare me one glance? Cause they were and she didn't.

There were many eyes on us. But, mine were on Tarter, eyeing her distrustfully. Her heart eyes were on Logan. And here I thought she liked that Lucian guy.

"You're new here, right?" She chirped at Logan. I rolled my eyes as realization hit me. 

New hot boy = fresh prey.

Poor Logan.

Well, not really, he was a playboy too. There was a high probability of this backfiring on Tarter.

"Yeah," he replied, smiling politely.

"I'm Taylor," she beamed exaggeratedly at him. Ohhh so that was her name. Taylor, not Tarter. Oops.

Personally, I preferred Tarter.

"I'm Logan," he nodded, "And this is Isabelle."

"You wanna sit with us at lunch?" She looked at him through her lashes, blatantly ignoring me despite the 'introduction'. I stifled a laugh at how silly she looked.

Desperate would be an understatement when it came to her.

"Is it a joint invite for us or an exclusive invite for me?" He asked, slinging an arm around my waist and pulling me close. I caught his drift and wrapped an arm around his torso.

Why is it so damn fun watching her squirm while we do this?

Tarter moved her gaze to me begrudgingly.

"Why do you wanna hang with losers like her when she when you can hang out with us?" She asked him, eyeing me distastefully and I grinned at her.

"We're a package deal," he shrugged, still smiling politely. It was forced though. The boys were a little protective over me. Aw.

The warning bell for the first period rang.

"Fine, bring her," she scowled lightly, "I'll save you a seat." She winked at him. 

He glanced at me.

"How's Lucian, Tar-I mean Taylor?" I asked her, holding back a laugh.

Her scowl deepened as she looked at me forcefully.

"None of your effing business, Isabelle," she snapped and stomped away, her posse in tow. I snorted at her retreating back.

"Who's Lucian?" Logan asked curiously.

"Just some arrogant prick," I answered.

"Oh?" He chuckled, "Well, how do you know this arrogant prick?"

"Ah, you'll love this story," I grinned as we walked together to our first class of the day, AP Literature.

**********************

I was waiting by my locker for Logan. I had only seen Freya once today but it was a brief encounter. The hallways were clearing quickly, students going towards the cafeteria. Yeah, I committed the map of the school to memory today in Algebra. Lucian wasn't in class today, so that was awesome.

"Boo!" 

Startled, I spun around and on reflex, threw a punch. Logan was prepared for it, though, so he blocked it.

"Gotcha," he grinned.

"Bastard," I shook my head, retracting my hand and calming my heart.

"Let's go, I'm hungry," I whined.

"Look at you, so excited to sit with Taylor and the cheerleaders," he teased, poking my sides. I whelped.

"Shut up." I slapped his hands away, rolling my eyes. "I hate her," I stated.

"Sure you do," he mocked.

"You're begging to be pranked, Logan," I glared at him.

"Oh, come on," he chuckled.

"Hmph." I huffed.

"Okay, so to make it up to you, why don't we go eat lunch with some other people?"

"Who?" I asked, intrigued. Didn't he join that day? Wasn't I technically supposed to know more about the school, introduce him around, and stuff? Why was he doing that for me instead?

"You'll see," he replied cryptically.

"Ooookaayyy," I agreed unsurely.

"Let's go," he said, "They'll be waiting."

"Who?" I asked again. He chuckled.

"Just a Senior and his friends whom I met and they invited me to eat with them."

"And where do I fit into the equation?"

"As I said, Belle, we're a package deal." 

I rolled my eyes.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Classroom 14," he answered.

"Logan?"

"Hmm?"

"Classroom 14 is the other way," I chuckled.

"Oh," he replied intelligently.

I laughed and turned us around.

"Follow me."

**************

The hallway near classroom fourteen was nearly empty. When the classroom was in sight, I let Logan take the lead. He walked confidently to the door.

"Ready?" He asked me like I'd asked him not a few hours ago. I chuckled and gave him a one-shouldered shrug.

In response, he pushed the door open and stepped in. The conversation ceased at the interruption and I felt intrusive despite myself.

"Are you su-" I began but stopped when a voice gruffly greeted, "Logan?"

Why did that voice sound familiar? I was still outside and Logan's silhouette was hiding me so I was basically hidden. Meaning, I couldn't look inside either.

"Benjamin." Logan nodded. My head snapped up to Logan's face.

"Who?" I whispered, horrified. Crap. 

It couldn't be, could it?

"What?" Logan addressed me, looking at me weirdly.

"Uhh...." What do I say? I shook my head instead.

"Is that your friend?" Benjamin asked.

"C'mon in, you guys!" Another voice sounded. That sounded weirdly familiar too.

Logan grabbed my hand pulling me inside the room and closed the door behind us.

"Guys, meet Isabelle." Logan grinned. I looked around the room, nodding in acknowledgment and suppressing my 'I'm surprised face'. 

"Alexander, Nicholas." I greeted. They grinned and waved at me in response.

"You!" Benjamin exclaimed in disdain even before my eyes traveled to his figure.

Turns out, it can.

"Me," I confirmed not hiding my own distaste. I wasn't gonna say a 'and it's you' and lose IQ points.

"You know each other?" The girl sitting beside him asked. She was beautiful, with her brown hair pulled up into a ponytail with a ribbon and beautiful doe eyes. Another cheerleader.

"We're acquainted," Benjamin said stiffly.

"Yeah, right," I scoffed.

"Tell me what's going on?" Logan asked, looking at me quizzically.

"I know them," I shrugged.

"How?"

"Isabelle, c'mon here," Alexander called. I sighed. 

"Coming," I called as I shot Logan an apologetic smile.

I sat down a seat across from a smiling Nicholas.

"Hey," I greeted, dumping my bag on the empty seat next to me.

"Hi," he replied.

"Where's Freya?" Alexander asked.

"I don't know, probably in the cafeteria," I shrugged. 

That reminds me.

I sent her a quick text telling her I was not in the cafeteria for lunch. It was not like we'd agreed to have lunch together but yesterday we sat together in the cafeteria so . . . 

"Oh, why didn't you bring her along?" He questioned.

I raised my eyebrows.

"Because I wasn't aware we'd be coming here, Alexander." I chuckled, "Logan told me to join him at the last minute."

He frowned.

"Why don't you guys eat in the cafeteria?" I asked.

"We like our privacy," Nicholas said.

"Really? Privacy?" I asked in confusion, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Belle," Logan called.

"Yeah," I held a finger up to pause Alexander who opened his mouth to speak.

"Your lunch," he passed me a burrito. Yup, I'd forgotten to pack mine.

"Thanks," I grinned. Jacob must've told him to get extra takeouts for lunch today. I remembered mentioning how I hated cafeteria food yesterday when I called him during lunch. 

Ah, what would I do without you, Jake?

I motioned for Alexander to continue ignoring the curious looks both he and Nicholas gave me and Logan.

"Most of the cheerleaders are bitches," Alexander stated, snapping out of it, "And half the team is a bunch of, how do I put this accurately?" He mused, "Dicks." 

I laughed.

"So?" I prodded him to elaborate, biting into my burrito.

"So, we like to avoid them. That and they're the epitome of shameless flirts and perverts. The concept of 'no' and 'taken' doesn't penetrate their thick skulls." 

"Well, shit," I said disgustedly after I swallowed.

"Yup, fucking perverts," Alexander agreed, popping a grape from Nicholas' tiffin in his mouth. I looked at Nicholas to see his reaction but he seemed nonchalant about it. I liked him instantly.

What?

He shared his food! There are only a few people in the world who do that. I knew I didn't.

"So, about that bet," Alexander started. I cringed internally. I was hoping that they'd forget about it. Apparently not.

"Yeah," I dragged out cautiously.

"We have a-"

"Luke!" Nicholas smiled.

"Hey Nick, Alex. Who's this?" He asked. And . . . he had a British accent? And he probably saved me from a premature death. Not to mention, the accent was so cool in his voice. Was it possible to have a crush on someone before even seeing them?!

I shook my head. No, I told myself firmly. I turned around in greeting.

"Hi-" the rest of my words got stuck in my throat. The blue-eyed blonde-haired Adonis stood a foot away from my seat.

"It's you," he grinned joyfully.

"How does everyone know her?" Benjamin groaned, "Isn't she supposed to be new?"

"How do you?" Lucian shot back.

"I met her at the Club," he huffed.

"Oh, really? What was she doing?" He asked curiously.

I am right here, am I not? And pray tell, what does one do in a sports club? Pole dance?

"Being a-"

"Finish that sentence, I dare you," I threatened him.

"Bitch." He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Underdeveloped neanderthal," I clapped back.

He was about to spew a new insult at me when Logan -who was talking to 'Benji'- Alexander, and Nicholas burst into fits of laughter. Even the cheerleader girl seemed to be giggling. 

"What's so funny?" Benjamin snapped.

For once I was in agreement with that nincompoop.

We waited.

"Underdeveloped neanderthal," Alexander snickered.

"You guys are . . . cute," the brunette giggled.

"What?" We asked incredulously in sync. When we realized it, we glared at each other.

"See what I mean?" She asked, smiling.

Psychotic bitch. Even Benjamin looked at her murderously.

"I'm Lauren, by the way," she smiled extending her hand.

I was seriously nauseated by her giggly personality and her making fun of me wasn't helping her image in my book. I wanted to break her hand.

I kept my face blank.

"I won't bite," she joked.

Hon, I'm so irate, I might.

No no no, I can't. That's not . . . human. No. 

Finally, I shook her hand.

"Isabelle," I told her for the sake of formality.

"I know," she grinned.

Urgh. It was like she wants to be punched in the face.

Logan caught up to my mood quickly because he suddenly changed the topic.

"Okay, explain. How do you know the rest of the boys?"

I took a deep breath.

"I met Alexander and Nicholas in gym class yesterday, we played a game of badminton," I informed him, "And Lucian . . . We never really met. It was more like bumping into each other inconveniently," I scowled.

"Bumping?" he laughed merrily, "You pushed Taylor straight onto my lap, love!"

"What, really?" Alexander chortled.

"Don't call me 'love'," I told him, wrinkling my nose. 

I might have misjudged his personality. I think he's cool.

"I wish I'd seen that," Nicholas laughed.

"Me too," Lauren chimed.

Benjamin kept quiet but I could see him fighting off a traitorous smile.

"She put her butt in my face," I shrugged, "I pushed her away, you just happened to be in the way."

That made them laugh harder. Even Benjamin cracked.

I rolled my eyes, letting out a chuckle myself. I guess it was funny.

"I like you," Nicholas stated, "Call me Nick."

"Yeah, and me, Alex or Xander. I don't mind," Alexander added.

"Call me Luke," Lucian nodded, "And I'm sorry about yesterday," he shuddered.

"I will, and you guys can call me Izzy," I grinned.

"And who might you be?" Luke asked, staring at Logan.

"Logan Black," he stuck his hand out.

"Lucian Gray," Luke introduced himself.

"Oh, so you're the arrogant prick," Logan laughed. I facepalmed at his belated realization.

"Hun?" Luke frowned in confusion. I glared at Logan, hoping he'll get the message. 

No such luck.

"You didn't exactly make the best first impression on Belle," He chuckled. 

I'm killing him in my mind right now.

"Belle?" He asked, confused, his brain racing with a sloth and losing.

"Isabelle," Logan clarified.

"Ah," Luke exclaimed understandingly, "I'm sorry about that," he apologized to me again.

"It's okay," I replied, "As long as it never happens again."

He laughed again.

"Deal," he agreed.

"What took you so long to come?" Benjamin asked Luke.

"I was stuck in the cafeteria with Taylor," he scowled, seating himself on a bench halfway between me and Benjamin "She found me in the hallways and wouldn't let me go. She wanted me to meet some new friend of hers," he rolled his eyes, "A friend who doesn't exist."

"She was lying again?" Benjamin spat in disgust.

Logan and I exchanged a knowing glance.

"Actually," Logan cleared his throat uncomfortably, and I laughed, "She wasn't lying."

"How'd you know?" Luke asked.

"Cause that friend is me," Logan replied grimly.

"Why didn't you show up, mate?" Luke demanded, groaning.

"She's not a huge fan of Belle after that stunt yesterday," he said.

"Oh shit, I forgot about that," Luke winced, "She didn't hurt you, did she?"

"Nope," I tapped my fingers on the table, smiling amusedly, "But she did try to avenge herself."

"Oh no," Luke exclaimed.

"That would've been fun," Logan laughed. I agreed. It was. I nodded at him, smiling wider.

"How can you be happy with the fact that she was bullied," Luke asked.

"Oh, because I'm pretty sure knowing this spitfire here that it was a failed attempt at bullying," Logan laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up making Taylor cry instead."

"Unfortunately not," I sighed, "There's always next time though," I flashed another smile.

"That's my girl," Logan praised in a faux serious tone, nodding solemnly in approval of my words. 

The rest of us cracked up again.

************************
[14th April 2021]

************************